Characterisation Process Writing Assignment
“Happy birthday, John,” Yu Siang and Tim greeted John before handing him a present. John grinned at them appreciatively and welcomed them into his house. The walls were gaily decorated with shiny streamers and colourful balloons. In the centre of the wall, there was a banner with the words “Happy Birthday, John” written boldly on it. John led them into his room, where all his friends were.

Upon entering, Yu Siang realized that they were not the first to be there, as Edwin, Shaun and Daniel had already beaten them to it. The trio was deeply engrossed in their ‘Monopoly’ board game and did not realize the appearance of their two friends till Yu Siang and Tim asked to join them in their game.
Upon seeing that his friends were comfortable, John fished out his gleaming PSP and started playing. “Bang! Bang!” The sounds of gunshots from the PSP attracted the other boys’ attention. They gaped at him in envy and surrounded him, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was playing. The PSP posed a greater attraction than the ‘Monopoly’ board game.


.
“Must you always be so obedient towards your mother? I think you are just being selfish!” Edwin retorted accusingly. John looked hurt and walked away indignantly. Upon seeing that John was not going to lend him his PSP, a look of disappointment swept over Edwin’s face as he sat at a corner and glowered at John. The rest of the boys returned to watch John play. At that very moment,

What happened?” John asked as he rushed out of the room. The boys looked equally bewildered and followed after him. .

Suddenly, Edwin caught sight of the John’s gleaming PSP on his seat. He stared at it, remembering vividly his request to play with it was rejected just a while ago. “I know what I’ll do. I’ll make him regret for being so selfish towards me,” he sniggered.

Yu Siang was about to enter the room when he heard the flush sound from the toilet and the toilet door opened shortly. Edwin emerged from it and looked startled at the sight of Yu Siang. He stood there rooted for a few seconds before managing a nonchalant “Hi!“ and walked to his seat. Yu Siang felt that Edwin was behaving queerly but dismissed the thought that he had been too sensitive.

“Perhaps he is still upset that he does not get to play John’s PSP,” Yu Siang thought to himself.

The rest of the boys were just returning to the kitchen. “The loud crash scared us out of our wits. We almost thought the house had tumbled,” John said teasingly.

“Let’s continue with our game of ‘Gangs of London’!” John summoned the rest of the boys before scrambling to his seat to fetch his PSP. When it was nowhere to be seen, he looked for it behind the chair and under it but it was not there either. “Where’s my PSP gone to? Who took it?” he asked anxiously. The boys searched high and low but it seemed to have mysteriously disappeared.

“That’s strange!” John muttered to himself, getting more perplexed by the minute. Suddenly, Yu Siang rushed into the toilet. “Come here, John!” he shouted and pointed to the toilet bowl. “Your PSP is here!”
John rushed there, only to see his beloved PSP vertically buried in the water in the toilet bowl. He let out a cry and put his hand in to retrieve the PSP. As he held the wet PSP in his hand, tears streamed down his cheeks.

“Oh, my goodness!” the boys exclaimed sympathetically.

Yu Siang observed Edwin for a while and noticed that he was looking uncomfortable. Suddenly, Yu Siang recalled Edwin’s queer behaviour when he came out of the toilet. “Edwin, “Yu Siang questioned him sternly, “do you have anything to do with this?”

Edwin’s face turned as red as a beetroot and he fidgeted uncomfortably. “I…I …,” he stammered before looking down.

Everyone stared at Edwin disbelievingly. “How could you be so mean?” Yu Siang reprimanded him sternly. “You actually tried to flush John’s PSP down the toilet bowl?” Edwin bent his face down, too afraid to face the irate glares of everyone.

John bellowed at Edwin, “How dare you! Fancy me treating you as a friend! I shall tell your parents about this incident.”




Meanwhile, the rest of the boys tried to salvage the PSP.
himself after the ordeal.

Suddenly, John caught sight of Edwin sitting alone miserably at a corner in the room.


Edwin took his hand gratefully and grinned at him. The rest of the party continued uneventfully, and everyone had a great time playing and feasting.